Buster Posey affirmed his belief in first-year Giants manager Tony Vitello on Sunday by announcing he will return to the team next season.

With so many questions surrounding Vitello’s ability to manage in the big leagues, legendary Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow said he wasn’t surprised by Posey’s comments.

“He deserves to come back,” Krukow said while appearing as a guest on “The Sports Leader.” “You put a guy in that situation, he deserves to learn, and now let’s see what he does with what he’s learned next year.”

Krukow has been an defender of Vitello, who became the first college coach to make the direct jump to MLB manager.

Krukow said he believes Vitello has some growing to do as a manager and will need to focus on improving his relationships with older players.

“There’s such a thing of just giving those guys too much respect,” Krukow said. “… I don’t care how many years you’ve been there, you have to earn the respect of your manager and your coaching staff.”

Vitello has had his hands full this season. The Giants have been decimated by injuries, and he’s been without top free agent Harrison Bader, who is currently suspended without pay after allegedly aggravating a foot injury in a scooter crash.

In June, the Giants were at the center of controversy after Landen Roupp wrote a bible verse on the team’s Pride Night hat.

The Giants are fourth in the National League West with a 51-73 record.

They have one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball statistically, ranking fifth for most walks allowed (467) and ninth for highest ERA (4.36).

The team ranks in the bottom ten for runs scored (509) and just outside the bottom 10 for home runs (137).